Valve construction



Feb. 23, 1965 Filed Feb. s, 196s AJ U. BRYANT VALVE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v. NNQ Q n i I I Fi o OO m ln 8 Q o Q W Y* W 1 w Q N Q C) /NvENToR AUST/N U. Y/NT WMM/. i7?

Feb. 23, 1965 A. u. BRYANT 3,170,478

VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M, Q QQ m@ @E @MM m.

mw w@ SAY @S Qt mw NQ S lmulllN-.Fllmw Feb. 23, 1965 A. u. BRYANT VALVE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 8, 1963 Feb. 23, 1965 l A. u. BRYANT 3,170,478

VALVE CONSTRUCTION INVENTOR.

United States atent This invention relates to a valve and, more particularly, to a gate valve construction the materials of which are subjected .to severe temperatures.

In certain evacuation systems employing vacuum pumps, .it is frequently desirable to pass the gases being evacuated over cold panels in order to freeze and settle Vout those molecular components of the gas that are sussceptible to a change of physical state at extremely low temperatures. At the same time, it is desirable to heat metals and other materials employed in other portions of `the evacuation system in order to drive off and evacuate molecules that are absorbed within the metals themselves, and Vthis is an important consideration when lit is desired to maintain a highy vacuum in the order of 10-6 millimeters of mercury. However, the application different tempera-tures to which they are exposed, thus raising additional problems lof structural design.'

It is, therefore, an object of this inventionv to provide means for cooling seals and other elements exposed to highutemperatures.

`It is a furtherj'object of .this invention torprovide a Y bonnet construction for 'aheated valve including a coolant circulating systemfor-reducing the temperature to which rubber seals are-exposed. i

It is affurthe'r object of this invention to provide means traction between attached parts.

f foraccommodating differentialthermal expansion or con-r v In carrying out this invention'IV provide a tubing sysfin the Wallsfo'f the valve body in order to accommodate thermalA expansion. y A,

ther objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description following when vread in conjunction withn the accompanying drawing wherein: n c i FIGflis a side"vi'e\vl partially zin* lsection showing a gate valve and attachedkv cold chamber for vacuum systemcfembodying features of this invention; c

'A FIG. 2 is a partial section view of a bonnet. showing and the like.

, anatre' Patented Feb. 23, 1965 Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a gate valve 19 connected at 12 Vto a cold chamber 14 which, in turn, is adapted to be connected at 16 to a chamber (not shown) to be evacuated by a suitable vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the valve at 18.

The cold chamber 14 is-provided to expose the molevcules of gases being evacuated through the intake 16 to cold surfaces which freeze and settle out certain components of the gases such as Water vapor and oil vapor rl`he cold chamber may take a variety of forms but preferably comprises an innershell or cold .trap 2t) and series of batiie plates 22 all of hollow construction lso that" a cryogenic iuid such as liquid nitrogen may be circulated throughout the cold shell and the baiiies. The coolant ilows into the cold surface system at 24, and then into the cold shell 2t) and an intake manifold 25 from which it flows through inlet tubes and through the baffles 22 flowing out through the manifold tubing ZSand outlet 30.

Inorder to facilitate the maintenance of a high vacuum within the cold chamber 14 and vto provide insulation bet-Ween the cold interior and the surrounding atmosphere, it is formed of double-walled construction having an outer shell 32 and inner shell `34 which are connected together` by lugs 36 and 3S' welded to each of the shells and connected together by a rod`40 extending through aligned enlarged openings inthe lugs. Thus, the inner shell is suspended within `the outer but the connection between therod and Vlugs permits relative ,movement along the rod and transverse thereto such as may be occasioned by thermal expansion o-r contraction of the outer and inner shells 32 and 34.

A suitableconnection 42 is provided to introduce a rough or intermediate vacuum between the two shells in order to reduce the possibility of vacuum loss through leakage. and 34 is maintained in the orderof 10"3-millimeters of mercury whilethe vacuum within the cold chamber is in the order of l0*6 to i0-B millimetersof mercury. Additionally, the cold chamber 14 is preferably strengthened by meansof ribs 44 of angle section which resist-exy ternal force effects of pressure difference both radially and circumferentially because of the thick reinforcement ribspresented. by the legs of the angle. i The particular type of -valve employed inl the vacuum system may take a variety of forms, but for purposes of the coolant circulating system forming afpart vof this Y' invention; Y A i,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectionfview taken along line FIG; 4 is a fragmentary section view of another formj of bonnet circulating system; f

.FIG: 5 is a yfragmentary 'section view taken alongllineV 5 5 of rio. 4.

valve and cold chamber.

' l. 70V FIG. 7 is, an enlarged section view o f therjoint between f illustration, I have shown a gate valve having doublewalled body llt) and 10a reinforced by hoops 45 and including Ytop Walls 46 and 46a, bottom Walls 48`and 48a and side walls 50 and Sila. Around the opening 52 comprising the flow passage from the cold chamber, I have provided a circular valve seat'54lhaving arseal member 56 with-which the gate is adapted `to cooperate in closing ott the vacuum. The particular'means for operating the gate is not a 'feature of this invention but may comprise a motion transmitting'member 60 on the under side of the gate to which,y a traverse member 64 is attached. byy toggle links. 62.V `The traverse member 64 is threadedly engaged on the elongated ,screwy 66'which is rotated by turning the stemo by any suitable means` such las a wheel (not shown) so that the traverse member moves alongthel screw to bring thevalve gate 58 from`l an open position displaced from the valve seat'54 to the closed v positionshown in FIG. l.

ThemWhenl the valve seat is covered the end yofthe valve engagesa stop blockf70r secured to the end ofthe valve body so that further movement of the'traverse memberl 64 will cause the lower end of the toggle link 62-to swing forwardgforcing they gate against the seat, anytendency for thetraverse member to move downward being resisted by rollers 72 carried on a bearn74 extending across the outlet flow passage 76.

As has previously been described, it-is desirable in a Preferablythe, vacuum between the shells 32,

"2 es vacuum system to apply heat to the metal elements in order to drive on" certain components, such as water orI the like that are absorbed in the metals ofthe elements.

`When it is desired/to maintain a Vacuum of the order intended here, this is an' extremelyimportant feature andy may be accomplished by providing a heating element or the like in each of a series of hollowtubes'tl extendingV However, the

across,k the interior Aof the valve` body. y introduction of this heat to theelements of the valve creates certain problems to which this invention is particularly directed. For example, the heat within the valve body 10 to whichy the inner valve bodyftia is exposed l produces differential thermal expansion thereof relative` to the outer body 10 which is exposed to a substantially lower temperature, e.g., room temperature; quence, the inner wallssare attached .to the outer walls so as to permit relative sliding to accommodate such rela- As a consemember 114 is mounted in the bonnet plate 110 and` sheet being supported on a supporting' rib 1212V carriedk on the flange 106. Actually, tlie.supporting'rib 122 is welded or otherwise secured to a gasket'124rwhich surrounds the bonnet opening and which is formed of stainless steel having anupturned lip around theinner periphf ery thereof 26 in order to supportH a sealing O-ring 128 tive expansion. VThis is accomplished by attaching a f series of aligned lugs or eye blocks S2 to thel outersurface of the inner valve body lila and a similar series of aligned eye blocks 84 tothe inner surfaceof the outer valvebody 1G with a rod Se being loosely received through the aligned enlarged openingsof the eye blocks. Conse-r quently, the inner and outerrwalls are attached relative f andyltla with `similiar passageways formed in the bonnet plate 'll-10. Thus, la rough or intermediate vacuum sur.-A

to each other but may expand or contract relatively with the eye blocks moving alongV or transverse to the rod 86.

Also provided in the outer wall is ank expansion joint 88 comprising a channel member @El of relatively thin metalY thatjthe channel member k9i) can expand or contract Vin valve body toform alshield. 1 v

v Preferably, allof the valve and cold chamber components which' are exposedto the gas molecules being evacuated are off stainless steel, and for purposes of economy in manufacture, 'are of relatively thin gauge. Where vnecessary to reinforce the stainless steel, heavy ygauge carbon -steel is 'provided and, in turn,'shielded from the Vflow passageway by stainless steel components. yFor example, referring to FIG. 7 thevalve seat 54 is the only 'component-ot heavy gauge stainless steel in order to resist theA forcesV exerted by the .valve gate` 5S. The'inner shellV welded across a gap 92' around the outervalve body so .v

during assembly lof the valve; The other seal ring 129 being supported on the sloping side offthe supporting rib 122 to seal between the gasket Y124iand a frame 121 surv rounding the *sheetl 126 and welded to theV bonnet plate 110 against leakage,

. iA series ofpassageways 13! are formed through the flange 103, supporting rib 122` and stainlesssteel plate 120 to connect thespace between inner and loutershells 10 rounds not` only the side walls 48a, 46a and 50a but the bonnet as well and the O-rings 128 and `12? are provided to prevent leakage vfrornatmosphere .to the intermediatel vacuum'and fronrthe intermediate vacuum toy theV high v vacuum. Of course the retainer gasket isl Welded at both TaeV of the cold` trap is welded to a bottom plate 34a having a circular openingSAZa conforming to the flow passage 52 and the plate 34a is, in turn, welded tothe seatlring t.

54 to seal against leakage. The seat ring 'is welded at 96 to a plate 98" of carbon steel -or the like that extends across thelvalve body andis supported on the heavier sideand Y body It@ the plate'98 is VWelded* at 99to a reinforcing'rib ltltif `The outer shell 32 is .alsolwelded to thefbeaml'98 19t?. It is to be notedthat the bottom plate 34a is spaced end walls ofthe outer valvebody 10. Across lthefvalve edges` to insure against leakage under it.

Becaus'efof the heat withinthe valve' body introduced byhsheating means Stathe variou's'O-rings and seals in. the rbonnet structure are susceptible O heatdamage andi Y means are provided in conjunction with the bonnet struc# ture forcooling them. i 'i Thus, an intake'v'pipre 136 issecured ',toithen'side of the flange plate 106Y-and tubing-M138 is providedtoaextend Acompletely around the gasketgmember, to an outlet not shown.l Other tubing 139a'fand 13% Vextends aroundl the bearing member 114-andacrossthe bonnet closure plate, respectively, it being weldedtothe-underside ofthe liner plate 121)'. .Water ort other suitable Vcoolantiis circulated lthrough the'tube to maintain thermetals and, seal.'rings 'i immediately adjacent thereto at arnoderate temperature. -In another form of this invention shown in FIGS. 4 .to

V6, v.parallel tubes 142 are weldedtov the bonnet liner 120 Y opposite the gasket 140'surro'unding the bonnet opening. Y

A cooling medium may beicirculated through the tubes yto retain the seal rings 143 at a moderate temperature.Y

As in the other embodiment thesta'inless Ysteel intermedij, 'ate plate 12@ is supported on the rib' ,144.` In this case,

' atgnand obviously, it must be weldedy tothe beam 98,

inaccessible. For that'purposie'; aA clearance 101 ispro-j vided toinsu're the placement of -the reinforcement lib above the beam 98 sothat any -thermalfexparrsion or J contraction of the cold trap 34'will be absorbedin free bending movementfof theplate v.32401, in either` directiony vabout `the top of the seat ringv54. VAs another-featurek of, this inventionI provide aseries of tubes -102 around thek valve Vseat 54 through which water or other coolant 1 may becirrculated in order to'insure that the rubber'seals i 56 ido not become'overly hotor coldl `:Referring nowA to FIGS. 2 and 3 I disclose the' structurev offthe bonnet which `forms aparticlar `feature' of this invention. The spaces between the inner andouter walls lt'and 10d ofthe valve body are closed by a ange plate 1% yhav-ing bolt holeslltl which are aligned withfsirnilarj Y holes ltlpinbonnet plate ltl so that. it ,may besecured theretd'by bolts112(FI( /`Jy.`vl)r. As is customary, a journal inlet and outletY tubes 146 andV 148may be welded to the -maintube 142 which is.y arranged'pina continuous loop vwith the ends thereof being welded 'together after placement of a plugltltoprevent completey circulation and to form the end ofconduiti Y f 'While I have described thisY invention inf'connection wltha preferred embodiment thereof, it is understood f that (modificationfpand changesY therein V-canbe made. by those Skilled in time, arrwirheut departing from the spirit l' and scope Vof this invention as defined by the elaimsiappended hereto. Y i i Havingdescribed myginvention-l claim; Y A

l. Inl afvalve structure including a valvejbodyhaving Y v a'bonnet opening and. heating `means within rsaidvalvebody, abonnet structure comprising: .Y

' av flange `plate around said bonnet opening,

newpening., l 1 i a bonnetplate seeuredtto saidiiange plate,.

.a gasket secured `to saidl flange Vplate 'aroundV saidblonfl plate and .said gasket,

l a sealring of rubber or'` the' likelbetween-saidbonnet an elongated tubular member secured around said gasket adjacent said seal ring, and

an inlet conduit for a liquid coolant connected to said tubular member.

2. In a valve structure including a valve body having a bonnet opening and heating means within said Valve body, a bonnet structure comprising:

a flange plate around said bonnet opening,

a gasket secured to said flange plate around said bonnet opening,

a bonnet plate secured to said fiange plate,

means in said bonnet plate rotatably mounting a valve operating member,

a seal ring of rubber or the like between said flange plate and said gasket and additional seal means on said rotatably mounting means,

an elongated tubular member secured around said gasket adjacent said seal ring and adjacent the inner surface of said bonnet plate to traverse said inner surface in a circuitous path around said mounting means, and.v

an inlet conduit for a liquid coolant connected to said tubular member.

3. A valve body stucture comprising outer walls of a first material,

inner walls formed of a second material extending beyond said outer wall,

a flange plate of said first material welded around said inner Walls,

a gasket of said second material welded to said iiange plate around said inner walls,

a bonnet plate of said first material extending outside said gasket -and'being secured to said flange plate,

a bonnet liner of said second material interposed between said gasket and said bonnet plate to isolate said bonnet plate from the interior of said inner walls,

a journal member extending through said bonnet plate and lsaid bonnet liner rotatably supporting a valve operating member,

seal members of rubber or the like between said bonnet liner and said gasket and between said bonnet liner and said journal member,

an elongated tubular member secured to the inner surface of said bonnet liner to extend over said inner surface adjacent to said gasket and around said journal member, and

an inlet conduit for a liquid coolant connected to said tubular member.

4. The valve body structure defined in claim 3 wherein:

said outer walls are in two sections separated by a gap therearound, and

an extensible expansion joint extending across said gap connecting said two sections.

5. The valve body structure defined in claim 4 wherein said expansion joint comprises a channel shaped member of thin bendable matenial welded around said valve body and bridging said gap with one leg thereof secured to each of said outer wall sections.

6. The valve structure defined in claim 3 wherein said gasket comprises a continuous strip of said second material and a tubular member of said second material is weldedl around the inner periphery thereof to form a seal retaining member,

a plug in said tubular member,

the ends of said tubular member being connected together and inlet and outlet tubes connected to said tubular member on opposite sides of said plug.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,951,677 Rosener Mar. 20, 1934 2,121,686 Currie June 21, 1938 3,019,809 Ipsen et al.l A Feb. 6, 1962 

1. IN A VALVE STRUCTURE INCLUDING A VALVE BODY HAVING A BONNET OPENING AND HEATING MEANS WITHIN SAID VALVE BODY, A BONNET STRUCTURE COMPRISING: A FLANGE PLATE AROUND SAID BONNET OPENING, A GASKET SECURED TO SAID FLANGE PLATE AROUND SAID BONNET OPENING, A BONNET PLATE SECURED TO SAID FLANGE PLATE, A SEAL RING OF RUBBER OR THE LIKE BETWEEN SAID BONNET PLATE AND SAID GASKET, AN ELONGATED TUBULAR MEMBER SECURED AROUND SAID GASKET ADJACENT SAID SEAL RING, AND 